Randy Millam mulls over a catchphrase on his 3-by-3 foot sign: "Chains We Can Believe In." He woke up early Thursday morning to prepare for Obama's visit.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Randy Millam leaves home with his daughter Rachel, 18, who recently enlisted in the military.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Millam had to drive 50 miles across the cornfields of eastern Iowa to be part of the protest. But his resolve was reinforced by the sense that he was taking part in a movement -- a rising tide of anger against the health-care overhaul.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Millam joined a crowd of about 300 protesters carrying signs that addressed most of Millam's frustrations. "The president just about declared war against the American people last weekend," Millam said. And it was a war he intended to fight.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Getting to the front line of the protest, Millam yelled "I got news for you, Barack," he said. "You can't blame everything on Bush anymore. You either are the president or you're not. We've got 17 percent real unemployment. Home sales are at historic lows... And now the most pro-choice president this nation has ever elected is forcing us to have health care. Every single person's body in this whole country belongs to the government now."
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Obama supporters, including Brendan Shelely, 19 and John Magana, 24, mix in with tea party members.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Anti-Obama protesters rally on the University of Iowa campus, across the street from where President Obama made a speech on health-care reform.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Students listen to Millam during the protest on campus.
"I voted for a Democrat once," he said. "I was young once... Then I grew up. If you believe in freedom, you need to come to this side of the street," he said.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
To the protest, Millam wore "Army Dad" T-shirt and a hat inscribed with the Second Amendment.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
University of Iowa Hospital workers Sue Little and Cathy Scanlong get into an argument with an anti-Obama protester Jean Kehl, right.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Millam said he had spent the last week calling congressional offices and the White House to tell them about his feelings on health care, waiting through hold times only to reach answering machines and busy signals.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Rachel Millam, 18 watches her father Randy at the protest. Randy Millam was angry that the president did not exit where the protesters could see him.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Gallery Credits:
Text Editor Sakina Rangwala
